He said he would honour his earlier pledge to pay all the outstanding workers’ benefits.

He clarified that some would be given immediate attention, while some would be defrayed in instalments.

He said, “It is sad to reel out such a humongous figure, because it can create panic for you and I.

” But let me say that we cannot pay everything in one fell swoop, but the 2019 promotion arrears will be given immediate attention while others will be defrayed in instalments.

” It becomes difficult to pay once because Ekiti gets a little above N5billion monthly, with the state getting like N3billion, while the local governments receive little above N2billion monthly “, he said.

On the issue of local government autonomy, Fayemi said he was never opposed to the idea of giving financial independence to the third tier of government, being the closest to the grassroots.

“I am not opposed to it. Since I came back as governor, not even one naira of the local government money was being administered by me.

” I have allowed the councils to manage whatever comes to them.”

Mr Fayemi said that the state under him was considering alternative power supply option to shore up the one being supplied to the state from national grid.